To be fair, Jakub Rychlovsky probably wasn’t aware of what he was getting himself into when he was opting to sign a free-agent pact with the Detroit Red Wings.

Detroit’s history when it comes to inking European free agents is, shall we say, a checkered past. Well, that’s not entirely true.

It’s been closer to dreadful. Maybe even abysmal would be a better descriptive.

Rychlovsky will be coming to Detroit on a high. With 26 goals last season for Liberec Bili Tygri HC, the 22-year-old left shot forward was the leading goal scorer in the Czech Extraliga.

#LGRW signed free agent F Jakub Rychlovský  to a two-year, entry-level contract.

Youngest player to ever win the Czech Extraliga’s scoring title (age 22). Had 26 goals (and 20 assists) in 51 games for Bílí Tygři Liberec.

— NHL News (@PuckReportNHL) June 3, 2024

“I really like him,” Red Wings director of player development Dan Cleary said. “Quiet, strong little guy. I was friends with someone who was coaching him in Czech, so he kind of reached out.

“He thought it was a great signing for us.”

That’s what everyone thought two years ago when the Red Wings were signing Swedish free agent forward Pontus Andreasson. He was also coming to North America off a tide turning European campaign. During the 2021-22 SHL season, Andreasson netted 18 goals for Lulea.

He’d scored 12 goals for the AHL Grand Rapids Griffins in 2022-23, then head home to Sweden.

Red Wings Like Rychlovsky’s Skating

Before Andreasson, Mathias Brome scored one goal in 26 games for Detroit in 2020-21. Slovak defenseman Libor Sulak was minus-four during a six-game Red Wings stint in 2018-19. Slovak goalie Patrik Rybar, Czech goalie Matej Machovsky, Finnish goalie Jussi Olkinuora and and Finnish defenseman Oliwer Kaski never played a single NHL game for Detroit.

Why will Rychlovsky be different? Well, for one thing, he’s got wheels.

Here’s Jakub Rychlovsky (No. 81) at development camp, a free agent #RedWings signed this offseason after he led the Czech League in goals. pic.twitter.com/KbgVueZuMZ

— Ansar Khan (@AnsarKhanMLive) July 5, 2024

“I haven’t seen him play live in a game,” Cleary admitted. “But just watching him skate, handle the puck, move it, he’s a driven young kid.”

Prior to last season, Rychlovsky had never scored more than six goals in a single season at the senior level.

“I know he’s a very talented young player that’s gone through the draft,” Detroit GM Steve Yzerman said. “Our guys thought he really took a step this year, skill wise.”

Likely Destined For Grand Rapids

The six-foot, 178-pound Rychlovsky will almost certainly begin the upcoming season with the Griffins. And the Red Wings are recognizing that this will be a huge step up for the young Czech.

“We’ll see how it goes,” Cleary said. “Going from the Czech League to Grand Rapids is a bit of an adjustment.

“These kids are young. But I think he’s got a good, strong base. We’ll see.”